How to Check Signal Strength on Your iPhone 16 - iOS 18

Checking signal strength allows you to identify potential issues with your cellular connection, like dropped calls, slow data speeds, or poor reception. Similarly, it can help you discover underlying causes of problems that may eventually hinder the overall performance of your iPhone 16.

Here are several reasons why you should monitor your signal strength:

• Call Quality : A strong signal ensures clear phone calls with minimal dropped calls or static.

• Data Speeds : Stronger signals generally translate to faster data speeds for browsing, streaming, and downloading.

• Battery Life : Constant searching for a weak signal can significantly drain your battery.

• Location Services : Accurate location services rely on a good cellular connection.

• Emergency Situations : In case of an emergency, a strong signal is crucial for making a call for help.

You can identify areas with poor coverage and take steps to improve your connection, such as moving to a different location or contacting your carrier.

Moreover, new enhancements in iOS 18’s Field Test Mode now provide real-time signal strength information.

The enhanced Field Test Mode in iOS 18 provides real-time, detailed insights into your cellular connectivity, allowing you to monitor metrics like signal strength in decibel-milliwatts (dBm) and connection stability. This feature makes it easier to troubleshoot weak signal issues, especially in areas with spotty coverage. For instance, you can use Field Test Mode to identify dead zones in your home or workplace and decide whether switching to a different carrier or using a signal booster would be beneficial.

Additionally, iOS 18 introduces refined network settings and improved compatibility with 5G networks. If you’re new to the iPhone 16 or unfamiliar with iOS 18’s Field Test Mode, here’s how you can check your signal strength effectively:

Step 1: Turn off WiFi

Step 2: Open the Phone app

Step 3: Dial 3001#12345#

Step 4: Press call

Step 5: Select LTE if given the option

Step 6: Select Serving Cell Meas

Step 7: Select rsrp0

The rsrp0 measurement is a negative number that indicates your signal strength. The closer the number is to zero, the stronger the signal. Here are some signal strength ranges:

• Excellent – 59 to -79 dBm

• Good – 80 dBm to -89 dBm

• Average – 90 dBm to -99 dBm

• Poor – 100 dBm to -109 dBm

To exit Field Test Mode and return your iPhone to normal status, you can:

• Hit the Home button.

• Go back into Settings and enable WiFi and Cellular LTE.

Users note that this feature offers detailed insights into cellular connectivity, aiding in network performance assessment and troubleshooting. Accessing Field Test Mode typically involves dialing 3001#12345# on the iPhone’s keypad. However, some users have developed shortcuts to simplify this process.

For instance, a user mentions creating an iCloud shortcut to access Field Test Mode more easily on both iPhones and iPads. Another user appreciates this shortcut for its convenience over the traditional keypad method. Additionally, they point out that while the updated Field Test Mode is beneficial, it lacks certain information, such as the Cell ID number, which was available in previous versions and is useful for identifying specific cell towers.

Overall, the iOS 18’s Field Test Mode offers improved, real-time signal strength data, enhancing users’ ability to monitor and troubleshoot their cellular connections.